Day 22 Piethorne Reservoir to Hayfield

Wow what a struggle. There was just nothing left in the tank today, and the injured heel is playing up again.

I woke up crazy early and was rolling by 6am, the Pennine Bridleway providing its usual ups and steep rocky downs.

The route skirts around Oldham and the edges of Manchester, occasionally dipping into the valleys through pretty villages like Delph and Tintwhistle and up into the hills again.

The valley West of Staleybridge was bright with the pinks and purples of long escaped rhododendrons. 

These odd bits of rock were labelled on the map as "Robin Hood's picking rods." No idea what they are.

By time I reached Hayfield I had been going seven hours but covered only 25 miles - barely faster than walking pace. Clearly I am starting to really struggle.

Fortunately the pub was open for a Sunday lunch, and the campsite up the road had space.

A long sleep is needed and I will see what tomorrow brings. There may be some hard decisions to make.

Miles today: 27. Total so far: 766.